FRIDAY 9 JULY 2004

Howard's 'Fair and Decent' Vision Blind to Reconciliation

There can be no better example of the underhand way in which Mr Howard continues to destroy the Reconciliation process in this country than the unannounced removal of Reconciliation as a Government objective, Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTaR) said today.

The Government has deleted Reconciliation from the work of Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA).

"The Howard Government cannot be believed when it says it supports Reconciliation", ANTaR National President, Phil Glendenning said.

"Nobody is fooled by its hollow rhetoric and its actions speak for themselves:

• It has rejected the final recommendations of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, delivered in 2000.

• It has led a virulent and divisive campaign against the aspirations of Indigenous Australians to gain recognition of their rights and identity as Indigenous peoples.

• It is currently seeking to dismantle independent Indigenous representation and involvement in policy and service delivery, and to return to mainstream delivery and appointed 'advisors'.

• It's mainstream approach under 'practical reconciliation' has failed to stem the ongoing, entrenched crisis in Indigenous communities, with life expectancies 20 years lower than other Australians, health conditions at 'Third World' standards and worsening, and education and employment opportunities far below those of other Australians.
  

"Mr Howard's agenda is a return to assimilation, to the days when 'blacks knew their place' and were cowered into silence.

"Howard's vision for Indigenous Australia has been rejected by Indigenous Australians and by all those Australians who believe in fairness and justice. It is a recipe for continuing inequality.

"There can be no Reconciliation under John Howard’s dead hand of paternalism. And that's just what Mr Howard wants,” Mr Glendenning concluded.

Media contact: Phil Glendenning 0419 013758; David Cooper 0418 486310